EWood's Weekly Wrap-Up

1. At least 90% of our students will be at school 90%+ of the time. Current data: 89%
2. The percentage of students reading at/above grade level by Spring 2026 will increase from 71% to 75%. Fall Data: 28% at/above grade level
3. The percentage of students performing at/above grade level in math by Spring 2026 will increase from 61% to 65%. Fall Data: 14% at/above grade level
4. Every teacher will use the language of the monthly focus executive functioning skills in daily routines. (implementation goal) August/September: Emotional Regulation

What a full and rewarding week! From kicking off our chocolate bar fundraiser to digging into data together to plan WIN time, your teamwork and commitment continue to shine. I’ve also seen so many moments of supporting positive behavior and encouraging students to make great choices. Even as the week grew long and tiredness set in, you kept sticking with our students and giving them your very best. Thank you for showing up with heart and energy every day—it makes all the difference!

Third grade is reading Memory String, working on building stamina, and beginning to deepen their thinking while reading!

Check out Mrs. Zey's headband! When she wears this when working with students, it means students can't interrupt. Love it!

Students and families learned about the 5 pillars of reading and played related games that can easily be done at home during our Gold and Blue Switcharoo!

Families experienced the iReady lesson structure and students taught their parents strategies to solve problems!

Kindergartners rolling down the hill at recess!

Each week, I will post a bite-sized opportunity here. If you choose to engage in it, drop it in my mailbox and enjoy one of the following: 1 hour of career ladder OR a jeans day on the day you place it in my mailbox.

Today's Focus: Starting Strong! Student Engagement

Monday, September 15

• School Family Gathering, 8:35AM
• Chocolate bar fundraiser

Tuesday, September 16

• Chocolate bar fundraiser

Wednesday, September 17

• PLCs: Math
• Chocolate bar fundraiser

Thursday, September 18

• Chocolate bar fundraiser
• Thursday Collab: Literacy Huddle

Friday, September 19

• Last day of Chocolate bar fundraiser

• Each grade level has a large playing board with that grades teacher's picture on it along with four blank spots next to each picture.
• Each blank spot next to the teacher's picture represents one week.
• If the class has 90% attendance at the end of each week they get to place a checkmark/X in the box next to the teacher's picture.
• Once all four spaces are marked the class gets to move their "gameboard piece" on the board to earn the different incentives.
• The process starts over once each blank space has been filled to move the gameboard piece.

If you have any questions please let the Student Impact Task Force know.

In most grade levels, we are starting to intentionally differentiate during our Reading WIN Time block. I am excited to learn together how we can leverage this dedicated time to move the needle for our readers!

These will be in your mailboxes to go home in Wednesday folders next week. Please be sure to sign these and send home with every student. As they are signed and returned, please just keep a file of these or scan them if you don't want to keep a hard copy.

Chocolate fundraiser continues unti September 19th!

Here is the staff process/need to know sheet for the fundraiser.

Students who sell 3+ boxes will earn a field trip to Rink Ratz on 9/26.

Any staff member who sells at least one box of chocolate earns JEANS for the MONTH of OCTOBER! Highest selling staff member earns COMFY attire for the MONTH OF OCTOBER!

Classroom teachers, please review the following two documents:

• Club rosters- be sure to identify if any of your students are in a club for session 1
• Clubs calendar- club Leaders will have this spreadsheet updated by Friday afternoons for the coming week so you know when your students have clubs

Be sure to sign up if you plan to attend this evening! Staff staying will be supporting the book fair and supervising hallways/classrooms as families have the opportunity to check out their classroom and retrieve their Grandparents' craft that will be on their desk.

Crafts will be completed during Family Time and delivered to classroom teachers. Extras will be available in the office. Classroom teachers, please be sure every student has at least one craft to leave on their desk the night of the 25th.

Teachers put in Tech work orders.

For maintenance work orders, Tamara, Malorie, or I have to be the ones to enter these so please email when something needs addressed.

Club leaders, you should have your roster for Session 1. Once you have your roster, you are responsible for all communication with your club families. Please reach out to them to welcome them to the club, provide days of the week info, etc. Please add your dates to the Club Calendar. Reminder that Session 1 begins September 8 and runs through October 17.

Reminder to update this spreadsheet for club meeting dates WEEKLY!

Student Impact Grants are offered through the Fort Osage Education Foundation and any employee may apply. Grant applications must demonstrate creative, innovative, and effective ways to meet student needs and/or increase motivation to learn with measurable results. Applications will be reviewed by the Foundation board.

Criteria for Proposal

1. Provide a project summary, including the focus, purpose and intent of the grant. Identify how the grant will positively impact student learning.

2. Describe the timeline, goals and evaluation method for this project

3. Determine the number of students who will be impacted by the implementation of this grant.

4. Provide a detailed itemization of your grant budget request. Small grants are just as likely to be awarded as large grants, and partial funding will be considered. If other funding sources are available to help meet the total need of the grant, please outline that as well. If your request will exceed $1,000, you must contact Stephanie Smith at ssmith@fortosage.net to discuss.

5. Grants should fund projects that are not already provided for in school and district budgets.

6. Those selected to receive grants will be asked to follow up with the Foundation to share out information, pictures, quotes, etc. for projects funded.

Note: Products purchased as a result of a Student Impact Grant become the property of the Fort Osage R-1 School District. It is expected that approved projects will be shared with the Foundation board.

Procedure:

1. Discuss proposed project with the building principal or department director.

2. Obtain & complete the Student Impact Grant application at https://forms.gle/AcE7qysUWyRqLu16A

3. Complete the application form according to the criteria. Be concise and specific.

4. Submit application by the September 19 deadline.

Fall 2025 Timeline

• August 11, 2025- Applications are open for the Fall 2025 grant cycle.

• September 19, 2025-Deadline for Fall Grant Applications

• October 2025-Foundation Board votes on Fall Grant Proposals

• November 2025-Recipients Notified

Funding

The Fort Osage Education Foundation will award a minimum of $8,000 worth of grants in the Fall 2025 cycle.

Reminders about the district's para and bus driver/monitor referral program. Thank you for your help spreading the word!

DETAILS:

• Incentives apply to referrals made July 1, 2025 – June 30, 2026 (retroactive to July 1).

• Eligible referrers: Any regularly scheduled district staff member (excluding Administrators and Directors).

• Referred candidates must work for the district as a bus driver, bus monitor or special education paraprofessional for 60 days before incentive will be paid.

• Applicants must list the referring employee’s name on their application.

• The incentive does not apply to current district employees transferring to these positions or to employees no longer with the district when the 60-day requirement is met.
  

Email: ewood@fortosage.net
Phone: 7301
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BucknerElementary
Twitter: @EricaKWood